high ground

American  

noun

1. a position of moral or ethical superiority.

   The candidate has claimed the moral high ground.

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Etymology

Origin of high ground

First recorded in 1480–90; current sense dates from 1800–10

Example Sentences

Above the valley the path stretches away over high ground, parts of which have now been laid with giant flagstones.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

“LEAVE NOW or go to high ground or the highest floor of your home,” said an early-morning evacuation order for the areas of Waialua and Haleiwa, north of Honolulu.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Texts from the Old Kingdom describe the creator god appearing as a mound of high ground emerging from surrounding waters referred to as 'the lake'.

From Science Daily • Jan. 4, 2026

Accumulations of 10-20cm are likely at low levels with 30-40cm possible on high ground with some drifting and blizzards.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2026

The village, on high ground, dominated the Avre River valley.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck